Wine Scores

Below is a listing of the wine review scores we frequently reference in our notes. While these sources remain an excellent source of information, we always recommend that you trust your own palate. Scores in these publications often represent the personal taste of an individual critic, which may not always coincide with your own. We have a huge team of excellent wine professionals that can match wines you've had in the past with new arrivals that meet your flavor profile.

Staff Favorites -
Illya Haase

Reviews

This is one of my favorite wines in the store. Wonderful power, structure and delicacy. No oak aging in this wine. This just show's what happens when a grape and place are such a perfect marriage. Fruit and floral through out the wine. With a great mineral backbone. Lovely texture with a surprising weight in the mid-palate. It is one complex glass of wine. Don't forget the magnum is perfect for any kind of party.

There is something to be said about less thinking, more drinking. Opinions and scores be damned! This my friends, is just a fantastic glass of wine! Aromatics on this wine are stunning. Picking up just a hint of vanilla. Then comes the dark cherry and violets. Luscious fruit, and a rich refined spice pop in your mouth. What a treat to drink. Food or not, this wine does not disappoint. This is one wine that is not easy to share. So choice your friends wisely.

This is the second label for Ornellaia. Younger vines go into the wine. Pour it in the glass and you can see you are in for a wonderful experience. Deep, dark ruby red greets the eyes. Burst of berry fruits and crushed floral on the nose. This is a full body wine. Great weight on the mid palate. The tannins and acidity are all there for a seamless finish. Great with grilled meat or a heavier cheese. Elegance and power have never paired so well!

One of my favorite Rosés, year in and year out! When people ask me for Provence Rosé, it does not get much better than this. All organic methods of farming are gathered in this beautiful little part of Cotes de Provence. When people ask for that light salmon color, this wine has that. Delicate, with a fresh acidity for a truly magical experience. Got that too. As we used to say back home, this is a true porch sipper!

Before Champagne,there was sparkling wine in Limoux, France. Talk about getting it right! Antech Emotion Rose is the perfect accompaniment to any occasion. Fresh berries and lively bubbles jump out of the glass. Dry and medium bodied on the palate. Lovely red fruit and slight toast leading to a long lasting finish! All this for half the price of Champange. Buy it buy the case.

I love Rioja! With a vintage like 2005 you can't go wrong. This is very traditional bottle with wonderful earth and spice. The oak is very well integrated, so it is not over powering the plush fruit and spice on the palate. Rounded out by good acidity and super dry finish. Perfect for lamb or the next taco truck you hit.

Score one for California! This Cabernet was such a wonderful surprise for me. Of course big black but that leads into spice and forest floor. Great acidity and a complexity of tannin that never overpowers the wine. When people talk about cross over wines. This would be a great one if you are a Bordeaux lover.

Pascual Toso Malbec is like a great old friend. You always know what you are going to get. Plush blackberry and plum fruit. Wonderful tobacco and vanilla spice. Good acidity and silky tannins. Perfect wine for a outdoor BBQ or anything you want throw on the grill. With a price like this keep a case on hand at all times.

One of the top selling reds in the store year after year. Wonderful nose of dark fruit ( black cherry ) and spice ( dark mocha ). This is a big, rich, wine with a luscious mouth feel. The ultimate in silky smooth finish! Perfect party wine!

This is one of the best examples of Dolcetto I have had in a while. This is what happens when you have a great vineyard site and minimal intervention in the wine cellar. The purity of the grape shines through. Wonderful aromas of blackberry, vanilla, black currant and an underlying minerality. Great deal of acidity and fruit. Super long finish and polish tannins. What a wine for the price! Have it with your next pork dish. You won't be disappointed.

For all you people who say Riesling is too sweet! Look no further. This is one of the driest Spätlese I have tasted. This is a ridiculous wine for the price. It opens up in the glass with hints of honey, stone fruit (apricot/peach) and mineral (wet stone). And we haven't even gotten to tasting the wine. Wonderful red apple and spice, guava and honey notes culminate in this amazing citrus finish. That keeps going and going and going!! Asian food stat!

This is one of those wines, (under ten dollars), that once people try it, it will be flying off the shelves! It is so easy to drink with a wonderful fruit and spicy taste. It has a cool mineral note with great acidity, and a good lift on the back end. All of this for $9.99.This is perfect for those big cheeses or a beef stew on a cold winter night. Stock up for the holidays! It is a perfect party wine.

What a wonderful find in some of the best vineyard sites of the Chianti Classico region (Conca D’Oro). On the hillsides of the town of Panzano this IGT first pops with vibrant color in the glass and lovely shades of violet and plum. On the nose it burst with floral, spice and seamlessly layered oak! Deep, rich and alluring mouthfeel. It keeps you reaching for the glass. Espresso roast, cassis, blueberries, blackberries and a hint of smoky tar rounds out the finish. This is one full-bodied wine! But, with that great Italian acidity. A fantastic gift for the holidays or any day for that matter! Enjoy--I know I am.

Châteauneuf du Pape has lost its luster for me. Especially on the affordable price point. Not very complicated. Way too much fruit. Then along came La Loup! This is the best Chateauneuf I have tried in years!! Earth tones, floral and spice meet you in the glass. Very elegant mouthfeel, smooth, soft and harmonious. A good length and lovely acidity. Integrated tannins really round out this wine. Once again I must mention, elegant! This is a perfect holiday wine!

Very approachable Barolo. At a very approachable price! Classic tar, leather and rose petals on the nose. Wonderful mineral and fruit on the palate. Which gives way to a persistent acidity just calling for a prime rib in a porcini mushrooms sauces!